Marlins take Barraclough out of closer's role

MIAMI -- Closing will become a group effort for the Marlins, at least for the short term. Manager Don Mattingly on Tuesday announced that Kyle Barraclough, unable to convert his last four save chances, is being moved to a setup role.

Without a natural successor, the Marlins will mix and match their save situations until someone takes over the job on a more consistent basis.

MIAMI -- Closing will become a group effort for the Marlins, at least for the short term. Manager Don Mattingly on Tuesday announced that Kyle Barraclough, unable to convert his last four save chances, is being moved to a setup role.

Without a natural successor, the Marlins will mix and match their save situations until someone takes over the job on a more consistent basis.

Right-hander Drew Steckenrider (two career saves) and left-hander Adam Conley (one career save) are the likely candidates to close, with rookie Tayron Guerrero as another possibility.

"We'll just try to piece it together," Mattingly said. "Probably the other side of the off-day we'll have a better feel for some different combinations. It's not going to be one guy. It can be anybody. That's my early thinking on it."

His struggles began in July, when he posted an 8.38 ERA in the month. Since the All-Star break, his ERA has ballooned to 23.14 in six games (4 2/3 innings). Before the break, the right-hander was one of the top relievers in the NL, sporting a 1.28 ERA in 42 1/3 innings.

"Claw has been through this, but it probably hasn't been seen this way because it hasn't been the ninth," Mattingly said. "He's had stretches in the three years since I've been here where he's had some struggles. But when it's in the seventh and the game is not as much on the line, it's not talked about, it's not noticed as much. You put that guy back out there without a net [in the ninth inning], and we talk about it when it doesn't go good."

Barraclough blew a save chance last Thursday against the Phillies, surrendering a walk-off homer to Maikel Franco in a 5-2 loss.

In Monday night's 2-1 win over the Cardinals, Barraclough entered with a two-run lead, recording one out and allowing one run while loading the bases. The Marlins prevailed when Javy Guerra got Yadier Molina to bounce into a game-ending double play.

Even though he was demoted from the ninth-inning role, Barraclough could find himself closing again, if he can regain his form.

"It can be really quick," Mattingly said. "As much as anything, it's just giving him a breather so he is not walking the tightrope every time out, to where he can actually make a mistake and still get away with it and still be successful. Obviously, the command and where he feels confident he can throw his pitches for strikes is really where you want to get to."